Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack: What’s the Difference?

Many people often confuse cardiac arrest and heart attack, thinking they mean the same thing. Although both are serious heart-related emergencies, they are different conditions with different causes, symptoms, and treatments.  Knowing the difference can help save lives.

What is a Heart Attack?A heart attack happens when blood can’t reach part of the heart muscle. This usually occurs because of a blockage in the blood vessels that feed the heart. Without blood, that part of the heart muscle can get damaged or die.

Signs of a Heart AttackSigns can come slowly or quickly and include:

Chest pain or tightness

Pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

Trouble breathing

Sweating a lot

Feeling sick or throwing up

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Some people may have different symptoms, like feeling very tired or having stomach problems.

Main Differences Between Heart Attack and Cardiac ArrestAspectHeart AttackCardiac ArrestCauseBlocked blood flow to heart muscleElectrical problem causing heart to stopSymptomsChest pain, shortness of breath, nauseaSudden collapse, no pulse, no breathingOnsetCan develop gradually over minutes or hoursHappens suddenly without warningHeart FunctionThe heart usually keeps beating, but is damagedThe heart usually keeps beating but is damagedImmediate TreatmentRestore blood flow (clot-busting drugs or surgery)CPR and defibrillation are criticalOutcome Without HelpDamage to the heart muscle can lead to cardiac arrestDeath within minutes if untreatedHow Are They Treated?Heart Attack: Doctors try to open the blocked blood vessels quickly. They use medicines or surgery. After a heart attack, people usually need medicine and lifestyle changes.

Cardiac Arrest: This is an emergency. Someone needs to start CPR (pumping the chest) and use a defibrillator (electric shock) to restart the heart. The faster this is done, the better the chance of survival.

Can a Heart Attack Cause Cardiac Arrest?Yes. A heart attack can cause the heart to stop beating properly, which leads to cardiac arrest. This is why it’s very important to get help fast if someone has a heart attack.